Amaya Gaming-owned operator PokerStars has launched online casino products under its Spanish-facing dot.es site, marking the first time the operator has launched non-poker products on its platform.

The launch comes after the operator’s Reel Spain subsidiary submitted an application for a licence to offer roulette and blackjack in Spain in March this year. It was approved to launch the products by the country’s gambling regulator La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) in June.

The operator said that the launch of casino games would complement its core poker product and give players more incentive to play on PokerStars.es, helping to consolidate its position as a leading operator in the market.

“We know that many of our customers are enjoying online casino games on competing platforms and our offering will enhance their experience with PokerStars and provide a safe, trusted and convenient way for them to be entertained,” PokerStars’ president of Southern Europe Gino Appiotti said.

“PokerStars aims to remain as the number one poker operator in Spain and strongly believes that in this market, adding casino games is the best way to serve players,” Appiotti added.

The launch comes as the company looks to expand into new product verticals following Amaya’s $4.9bn acquisition of Rational Group agreed in June this year.

It is also set to launch casino games in the Italian market, and next year will expand social gaming and enter the sports betting space next year.